BREAKING: Kim Jong Un chooses his 13-year-old daughter Kim Ju Ae as North Korea’s next leader.

 

BREAKING:

Kim Jong Un chooses his 13-year-old daughter Kim Ju Ae as North Korea’s next leader. pic.twitter.com/g5Rnqcx3nT

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) February 12, 2026

 The X post you're referring to (from 

@GlobeEyeNews

) claims:"BREAKING: Kim Jong Un chooses his 13-year-old daughter Kim Ju Ae as North Korea’s next leader."This is based on a February 12, 2026, briefing from South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) to lawmakers. However, it's important to clarify what was actually reported:

• The NIS assessed that Kim Ju Ae (believed to be around 13 years old) has advanced from "successor training" to the "successor designation stage" or "designated successor" phase.
• This is not an official public announcement from North Korea itself — Pyongyang has remained silent on succession matters, as is typical.
• The assessment comes from her increasingly prominent public appearances since late 2022 (missile launches, military events, state ceremonies), including a symbolic New Year's visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun mausoleum, and indications she may already be offering input on some policy issues.
• South Korean officials are closely watching the upcoming Workers' Party Congress (expected later in February 2026) to see if she appears in a prominent role or receives any formal title, which would further confirm this trajectory.

Multiple major outlets (BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, AP, Bloomberg, etc.) covered the NIS briefing on the same day, describing it as Seoul's strongest and most confident evaluation yet that Kim Jong Un is positioning his daughter as the heir apparent to continue the Kim family dynasty into a fourth generation.The original post slightly sensationalizes the wording ("chooses... as next leader"), but the core idea aligns with what South Korean intelligence is now concluding based on observable evidence.Reactions on X (as seen in replies and quotes) range from ironic jokes about North Korea potentially getting a female leader before the US, to observations about the regime functioning like a hereditary monarchy, and some memes/mixed humor.If you'd like more details on her public appearances, the dynasty's history, or recent images of her from state media, let me know!